Lock for gasoline tanks for automobiles



Jan. 15 1924 1,4863% H.H.BROOKER LOOK FOR GASOLINE TANKS FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Feb. 9, 1923 I gvwemtoz Patented Jan. 15, 1924.

HOWARD H. BROOKER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LOCK FOR GASOLINE TANKS FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Application filed February 9, 1923. Serial No. 617,936.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD H. BROOKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New Iork and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improved Imck for Gasoline Tanks for Automobiles, of which the followin is a specification.

11y invention relates to that class of locks such as are described in my United States Patent No. 1,407,922 and has for its object to provide an improved construction for the lock. 1

My means of accomplishing the foregoing object may be more readily understood by having reference to the accompanying drawings which are hereunto annexed and are a part of this specification in which- Fig. 1 isa top or plan View of the lock.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end elevation partly in section on line 22 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View.

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary detail views.

Fig. 6 is a view showing lock housing with bolt.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entire description.

As shown in the drawings a fragmentary portion of the tank 1 only is-shown as the construction of the tank 0 viously forms no part of my invention.

In utilizing my improvement, the tank 1 is provided with an upwardl extending neck or stem Q'Which is preferab y provided with external threads 3. These threads are fitted to and coincide with internal threads 20, formed on the inside of the lower part 4 of my improved cap. Preferably in practice these threads are painted with white lead or shellac or suitable sealing material so as to make an air and gas tight fitting. Thereafter the cap remaining permanently on the tank 1.

The lower part 4 is provided with a cover 5 which is attached by means of a hinge 6 to the lower part. The lock is mounted in a housing 7 which is mounted in the cover 5 and 'is held in place by means of a set screw 8. In the center of the housing is a bolt 9 which is operated by a key 10.

A slot 11 is cast or formed in the lower part 4 of the cap at a point diametrically opposite to the hinge 6. The bolt fits into the slot 11 and cannot be turned except with the key. The end of the bolt has a cross tongue 12 clearly seen in Fig. 5. The key can be withdrawn only when the cap is locked thus making it impossible to leave the tank open unless the ke -is left in position and this invariably attracts attention so that the danger of leaving the tank unlocked is almost entirely overcome, while the hinging of the cap efi'ectually prevents its loss. In order to unlock the cap the key is turned in either direction a quarter of a turn. This operates to bring the tongue in the bolt in line with the slot in the bottom section 4 when the cover can be raised. Obviously the closing of the cover and turning the key back in its original position in order to withdraw it serves to lock the cover on.-

I provide means for making the cover gas and air tight in the event that the car has a force feed by providing a leather washer 13 which is provided with a stiff metal facing 14 which is engaged by the end 15 of a screw clamp 16 mounted in the cover 5. The leather washer rests upon a shoulder 17 cast 0 formed on the inner side of the lower portion 4 of the cap. It will be apparent that by screwing down the clamp 16 the washer, through the medium of the metal facing 14, will be pressed tightly against the shoulder 17 and the tank thus made air tight. I provide this screw clamp 16 in order that the adjustment may be varied so as to insure always having a tight joint regardless of whether the bolt of the lock 0perates to draw the cover down ti htly or not. Where cars use a vacuum tan feed a small hole may be drilled through the metal facing 14 and also through the cover 5, this construction being obvious.

Having described my invention what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a gas tank of a cap suitably secured to said tank, said cap having a cover comprising a lower portion .and a cover therefor, said cover being hinged to the lower portion, a lock mounted in said cover, a lock bolt operated by a key in said lock. there being a slot formed in said lower portion which permits the cover to be raised when the key is turned and a cross tongue on said bolt which prevents the withdrawal of the key except when the lock bolt is in cap suitably secured to said tank, said cap having a cover comprising a lower portion and a cover therefor, said cover bein hinged to the lower portion, a lock mounted in said cover, a lock bolt operated by a key in said lock, there being a slot formed in said lower portion which permits the cover to be raised when the key is turned and a secondary slot which prevents the withdrawal of the key except when the lock bolt is in looking position, adjustable means to render the joint between the cover and the lower portion air tight.

3. The combination with a gas tank hav ing a threaded neck thereon, a cap fixedly we es mounted upon said threads, a oover for said cap hinged thereto, a key lock for said cover, a lock bolt proiected and retracted into looking and unlocking position by the turning of the key a shoulder on the lower part of said cap, a washer formed of suitable material resting on said shoulder, a metal facing for said washer, a screw clamp mounted in said cover which regulates the pressure of said washer upon said shoulder.

In testimony whereof I have signed the foregoing specification.

HOWARD H. BROOKER. 

